Strictly Come Dancing to pair up its first same-sex couple later this year after rival Dancing One Ice’s historic move

STRICTLY Come Dancing will feature the first same-sex couple in the show’s history later this year.

Pro dancer Johannes Radebe, 33, is the front-runner to be paired with a male celeb after putting his hat in the ring.

BBC bosses made the decision after ITV show Dancing On Ice paired Olympic skater Matt Evers with pop star Ian ‘H’ Watkins earlier this year.

South African Johannes joined Strictly in 2018 and performed a one-off, same-sex routine with Graziano Di Prima on the last series.

A TV insider said: “The plan to introduce a same-sex couple was made after ITV took the plunge.

“Many of Strictly’s stars have called on producers to cast a same-sex couple for the past few years and it’s been decided this will be the year.

“Johannes made history with Graziano in the last series by becoming the first same-sex dancers to perform and he’s made no secret of how keen he’d be to take on the role.

“None of the dancers have been ruled out of the running but Johannes has been the most vocal about stepping forward and making history again on the series.

“There are several other dancers who have also said they are keen.

“Strictly is facing so many challenges this series because of coronavirus but behind-the-scenes they’re rising to the challenge and want this year’s show to be better than ever.”

A BBC source added: “Johannes is the obvious choice as he is openly gay. But everyone on the show wants to make this happen.

“It feels very much like the right time.”

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